Memorials of the lineage, early life, education and development of the genius of James Watt

2G MEMORIALS OF
years afterwards ; and the Prince, most certainly, did not miscarry in
his undertaking.
We have no means of learning whether Thomas Watt took any part
in the resistance offered to Argyll's invasion. The probability is that
he did, in some way or other ; and that he felt in conscience bound,
as became a loyal subject who had sworn allegiance to the King, to
oppose that measure. Be this as it may, there is evidence extant
that he did take part in the memorable Revolution of 16S8. It rests
on the historical fact, that the abdication of James being held to have
relieved all his subjects, "pedagogue" as well as those higher in
authority, from their allegiance, not a few availed themselves of this
liberty, to side with the Prince of Orange, — and that of this number
were " the men of Crawfordsdyke" " Crawford of Cartsburn, younger,"
was nominated an " overseer" for the new election of burghs, appointed
to take place on the accession of King William and Queen Mary.
Thomas Watt, however, though thus so unceremoniously introduced
to us as a " disorderly schoolmaster," was, nevertheless, from circum-
stances which his respectability and status about the time referred to
abundantly evidence, already a person of some consideration in the
little community to whose interests he had joined his individual for-
tunes. We have spoken of him simply as a teacher in Crawfords-
dyke. To be more explicit, he was a teacher of the mathematics and
of the principles of navigation. He was not the parochial school-
master, as shall hereafter be shown. Only once, indeed, do we find
him styled " schoolmaster" at all. On all occasions where he is pub-
licly referred to, he is designated " Mathematician ;" and on his
tombstone he is styled " Professor of the Mathematicks."
Such seems to have been his success in his honourable vocation,
that, after having married, he was able to become proprietor of the
house and garden which he occupied in Crawfordsdyke ; and in addi-